Gods Hide at Nanda and Make Region Inaccessible
In ancient times, the gods came to Nanda and found themselves surrounded by men who had gathered to see them. Led by Shakra, they did not wish to be seen — so they raised mountains to make the region inaccessible. Lomasha tells Yudhishthira that from that day, no one who has not performed austerities can even look at the mountain, let alone climb it.
Lomasha told Yudhishthira: In ancient times, the gods came to Nanda. Men assembled from everywhere, driven by the same desire — to see the gods with their own eyes.
The gods did not want to be seen. Shakra led them. They erected mountains, piling stone and earth until the region became difficult of access. From that day, Lomasha said, men cannot even look at the mountain, let alone ascend it. Only those who have performed austerities can see the great mountain or climb it.
But the gods left marks of their presence. Here they performed great sacrifices. The durva grass that grows on the ground is like kusha grass, and the earth is strewn with it. Trees stand like sacrificial stakes. The gods and the rishis still live there — their sacrificial fires can be seen burning in the evenings and in the mornings.
If a man bathes there, his sins are instantly destroyed.
Lomasha told Yudhishthira: Perform your ablutions there, together with your younger brothers. Then go to Koushiki, where Vishvamitra performed terrible and supreme austerities. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 406